TPS for Somalia Extended 18 Months, Into 2018

Nationals of Somalia currently in the U.S. can apply for Temporary Protected Status in light of the safety issues in returning there.

Citing issues of ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent Somali nationals from returning to Somalia in safety, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) redesignated the country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on January 17, 2017. (For a full background discussion, see the official Federal Register notice.)

DHS extended Somalia’s existing TPS designation for 18 months, which will start March 18, 2017 and end September 17, 2018. This allows eligible nationals of Somalia (or people with no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) to re-register for this limited right to live and work in the United States.

In order to extend your TPS, you will need to submit an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) between January 17 and March 20, 2017. You can apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) at the same time; your EAD card will come with an expiration date of September 17, 2018. In case your new EAD doesn't arrive before the old one expires, however, USCIS is automatically extending current TPS Somalia EADs to September 17, 2017.